With a career spanning 20 years, local MC Drapht joins the orchestra on stage for WASO’s newest contemporary collaboration. We spoke with Drapht about the WA music landscape and the process of combining hip-hop and classical music.
6 months on from WASO announcing the Kalgoorlie show, how are you feeling about the tour?
Those 12 months flew by quicker than any before! I am still pinching myself that it’s even a possibility, so I'm feeling grateful, not only to be playing alongside WASO, but also just to be playing again after a lot of uncertainty in our industry over the last few years.
Have you always had an appreciation for classical music?
Of course, I have endless respect for the level of skill, musicianship and commitment involved to get to where professional classical musicians are. But I also think I have always been a lover of any emotionally-driven music, genre aside. I grew up in a household where my dad would play Miles Davis to Donny Hathaway, my mum would play The Beatles to Boyz II Men, and my sisters would play Nirvana to NWA. So there has always been a very mixed bag when it came to what was on and appreciated within our household.
WASO’s Principal Trombone Joshua Davis, arranged the scores for you for this concert; what was that process like?
Josh is a Godsend. We had the opportunity to jump into the ABC studios and hear the orchestra play two of his arrangements and it was incredible. Such a buzz to hear it all come to life. Initially it was obviously a bit daunting with my background in music stemming from producing music in my bedroom, but he has shown me nothing but respect throughout the entire process. I feel very thankful he's the guy, and very happy to be up there performing alongside him within the orchestra as well.
This concert is a real celebration of WA music. What do you think makes WA music different?
I think it's a combination of being so removed from the rest of the country and having to grind that little bit harder for opportunities. And of course I am biased, but I have always felt like there's something in the air over here. I think the weather and our coastline plays a big part in that - maybe it's the fact the winter blues aren't nearly as brutal as over on most of the East Coast.
WASO has a great legacy of collaborating with iconic WA acts. How does it feel to be joining those ranks?
I feel honoured that I was thought of to play these shows. One for the books and an opportunity I am going to soak up and do my very best to make the most of.